aristocratic

[ uh-ris-tuh-krat-ik, ar-uh-stuh- ]

adjective

1. of or relating to government by an aristocracy.
2. belonging to or favoring the aristocracy.
3. characteristic of an aristocrat; having the manners, values, or qualities associated with the aristocracy:

   aristocratic bearing; aristocratic snobbishness.

aristocratic

/ ˌærɪstəˈkrætɪk /

adjective

1. relating to or characteristic of aristocracy or an aristocrat
2. elegant or stylish in appearance and behaviour

Derived Forms

• ˌaristoˈcratically, adverb

Other Words From

• a·risto·crati·cal·ly adverb
• a·risto·crati·cal·ness a·risto·cratic·ness noun
• anti·a·risto·cratic adjective
• anti·a·risto·crati·cal adjective
• anti·a·risto·crati·cal·ly adverb
• nona·risto·cratic adjective
• nona·risto·crati·cal adjective
• nona·risto·crati·cal·ly adverb
• proa·risto·cratic adjective
• pseudo·a·risto·cratic adjective
• pseudo·a·risto·crati·cal adjective
• pseudo·a·risto·crati·cal·ly adverb
• una·risto·cratic adjective
• una·risto·crati·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of aristocratic¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Greek aristokratikós “pertaining to aristocracy,” from aristokrat(ía) “rule of the best” ( aristocracy ) + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

In summers, aristocratic courts disbanded, and clans with less formal social ranks fished along the coast.

From Science News

The finances of the kingdom had never been well-managed, as the wealthiest aristocratic families in France continued to enjoy exemption from most taxes.

From Time

Such newfangled ideas as careers for aristocratic men and formal education for their future wives scandalized the older generations.

From Time

The aristocratic name d’Estaing had been officially added to that of his father, Edmond Giscard, only a few years before Valéry’s birth.

From Washington Post

The Giscards had aristocratic connections through the women of the family.

From Washington Post

As late as the fifth century, powerful aristocratic women took charge of the commemoration of the dead in Rome.

From The Daily Beast

Love poems between aristocratic women were not uncommon at the time, as long as they stayed safely on the side of friendship.

From The Daily Beast

“They are furious with Pippa,” an aristocratic source told Radar Online at the time.

From The Daily Beast

The Southerners had history, ethnicity, culture, slavery, religion, and a quasi-aristocratic honor society to hold them together.

From The Daily Beast

From an aristocratic British family, she is the founder and owner of luxury site Gift-Library.

From The Daily Beast

Among the ladies of "gentle blood," however, there is more of the asserted aristocratic symmetry and beauty than among the men.

From Project Gutenberg

She was either aristocratic, or had something to hide, unless she responded to the confidences natural to people of that class.

From Project Gutenberg

The rough guerrilla soldier was not the soldier of the dreams of the proud, aristocratic girl.

From Project Gutenberg

No such missive had, to his knowledge, ever before found its way into the aristocratic precincts of Crompton Place.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a great event, and Jane was dressed with the utmost care to visit the aristocratic mansion.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• courtly
• dignified
• elegant
• haughty
• noble
• patrician
• silk-stocking
• stylish
• well-bred